Which Panel?

[whoa_now]

Hello,

I've crossposted this in Beginners. I've gotten three proposals, with 3 different panels. I'm wondering which panel is the best.

Mage 235/6PJ
Schott 230 Poly
Canadian Solar CS6p 230

Both the quotes for the Mage and Schott are within 250 dollars of each other, however the Canadian Solar is about 2500 less than the other two. Total number of panels is about 14.

All three are using Enphase M190 Micro invertors.

Thoughts?

Thanks.

[Mike90250]

I've got no compareison data for the panels to advise you with, try looking at the warranty, see if you have off-axis generation data for any.

Why use the enphase systems, do you have a lot of shade issues on your roof ?

[whoa_now]

No reason, all three proposals came with the micro-inverters. I don't really have shade issues, maybe a little from the chimney.

When talking to the reps, they said the cost difference was nothing special (like 200 dollars) and the efficiency from micro-inverters was more.

[Mike90250]

.... and the efficiency from micro-inverters was more.

Micro-inverters are only about 1% more efficient than regular inverters, if that much.

Ask the same installers: who will replace the micro-inverters in 15 years, on the roof, under the panels, with rusty crusty bolts holding everything together.

While the micro inverter mfgs claim a lot of testing and 30 year lifetimes, I seriously doubt they will really last that long, baking days, and freezing nights. It's a very tough environment, and even most automotive computers have moved from under the hood, to inside the cabin.

If you have shade issues, then micro inverters are the only way to maximize your harvest.

Also, be advised, all inverter monitoring is done over power line signals, and a black box that connects to the internet. Most data is encrypted, and you pay a yearly monitor fee. ( for 30 years )